The Olympic tournament was the only major soccer tournament that Brazil football team failed to win. And they finally accomplished it in front of a roaring Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Germany settled for the silver medal and was denied gold in the first Olympics for which it qualified since the country’s reunification in 1990. Two years ago, the Germans spoiled Brazil’s party when they beat the World Cup host 7-1 in the semifinal. Before Saturday’s final, Micale (the Brazilian Coach) tried to downplay the importance of getting even with the Germans. Olympic gold was the only major title to have escaped five-time world champions Brazil in their history. The quest for gold had become an obsession, leaving the Copa America a mere afterthought. The Olympics might be a lesser tournament, but Saturday’s gold-medal match possessed the same stressed, edgy feel of a World Cup final.

Brazil’s arrival in the gold medal match capped a remarkable rebound for the men’s team, who were widely ridiculed after their early struggles in this tournament – which included a 0-0 draw with Iraq, which was then ranked No. 99 in the world.

Brazil dominates

Germany started confidently, and in the 11th minute Julian Brandt bent a long shot from outside the box that struck the crossbar. The home side enjoyed plenty of possession with little end product. The Brazil captain picked himself up and from a sharp angle to the left of the goal, he bent a brilliant free kick into the top, near-post corner to give Brazil a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute.

Neymar produced his own Olympic moment for the ages. Germany, though, produced more scoring chances than Brazil in the first half. Brazil continued to push forward at every opportunity – driven on by their exciting attacking quartet of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Barbosa and Luan – but their slick opponents easily cleared the chances. Germany hit the woodwork twice more before the end of the first half. By the start of the second half, Germany had taken four shots on goal to Brazil’s one.

Germany came out looking to attack after the break and silenced the crowd with a goal in the 59th minute. After a Brazilian giveaway resulted in Germany building patiently, Jeremy Toljan’s cross from the wing was turned in by Max Meyer in the centre of the box. The equaliser added an extra layer of intensity to the already-bristling atmosphere.

Brazil maintained a possession advantage through the first half – 56 percent to 44 percent. That dynamic didn’t change in the second half, with Germany relying on its defense to defuse Brazil’s attack. Midway through the second half, Brazil had still managed only one shot on goal out of six shots total.

But that dynamic shifted as Brazil pressed for the advantage. By the end of regulation time, Brazil had fired off 10 shots in the second half, compared to just three in the first. The dread of the Maracana faithful grew with every minute toward extra time.

Brazil maintained the upper hand in extra time but continued to be wasteful in front of goal. As Felipe Anderson fired straight at Horn after being sent one-on-one by Neymar. It was the best opportunity missed by the hosts in the second half of the extra-time.

The Dramatic Penalties

After two even halves and two scoreless extra periods, the game went to penalty kicks. In the shootout, the first eight penalty takers were on target — Matthias Ginter, Serge Gnabry, Brandt and Niklas Sule for Germany; Augusto, Marquinhos, Rafinha and Luan for Brazil. Brazilian shot stopper Weverton blocked Nils Petersen’s fifth-round penalty to keep it at 4-4.

Neymar stepped up to take the next penalty. One kick away from history, from immortality.

The dream was now within touching distance. He kissed the ball, calmly placed it on the spot. Two-hundred million leaned in. The run-up felt like an eternity for most.

Neymar, slowly approached the ball, stuttering his steps to cause German goalkeeper Timo Horn to wait impatiently a few seconds longer before depositing the ball into the lower right corner. Neymar went to his knees, then onto his stomach, his hands covering his face, struggling to control his emotions. His teammates, who had been on their knees at midfield, as if praying, began running toward him in a jubilant sprint. Nothing will replace humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany in 2014 FIFA World Cup Semi-Final. But it eases the pain and surely hurt a little less.

For Brazil football team, this was a win to savour. In front of 78,000 at the Maracana, Brazil got a measure of redemption as they finally won the Olympic title. Having previously narrowly missed out in 1984, 1988 and 2012. “I don’t have words to say anything,” Neymar said later, sobbing, “I can’t describe my feelings right now. I just want to thank my teammates, my friends and my family, who have been by my side during the most difficult moments. It wasn’t easy. I don’t know what else to say, I’m just really happy.”

Their victory lap morphed into photos with family and friends — several players’ children came onto the field to help celebrate. When the medal ceremony came, the players danced on the podium together. 30 minutes after the game, they were still on the field — and many of their fans were still here at Maracana, singing and cheering.

Picture Courtesy: Google, Goal.com, Rio2016